Fatal Organophosphate insecticide poisoning. Clinical, light and electron microscopic study

ABSTRACT

Six victims who were admitted to Alexandria Poison Center and died due tosevere poisoning by organophosphate insecticides were investigated. Victimswere clinically examined and antidotes were given [atropine and toxogonin]before death. Antemortem serum cholinesterase activity was also determined ineach case. After death, samples were taken from liver and different areas ofbrain [cerebral cortex, midbrain and cerebellum]. All samples were processedfor light and scanning electron microscopy by the controlled manual fracturingtechnique. Six cases who died from car accidents were taken ascontrols for both cholinesterase determination and microscopic study. Thestudy recommended the necessity of examining the different areas of brainmicroscopically, particularly midbrain and cerebellum in cases of suspecteddeath from organic phosphate poisoning. The study also recommended theimportance of taking liver samples not only in autopsy cases but also frompersons exposed repeatedly to organic phosphate insecticides to indicate theextent of toxic effect of the insecticide itself as well as the organic solvent in which the insecticide is dissolved